'Goodfellas' TV Series Has Town Jumping; But Will Majors Align To John Gotti Jr. Pic?

EXCLUSIVE: It’s turning out to be an interesting week for projects based on organized crime. Just as HBO’s Boardwalk Empire was renewed for a second season after one superb Martin Scorsese-directed pilot episode, I’m told that there’s a hot new TV project in the offing: a series version of Goodfellas, the 1990 Scorsese mob classic written by Nicholas Pileggi. My sources tell me that Pileggi’s likely to write at least the pilot episode. Warner Bros TV is in lead position to grab the series — the studio distributed the original pic — though several studios want it. Scorsese’s participation is unclear, but Irwin Winkler is likely to be the TV exec producer.

This information came my way on the same day that John Gotti Jr announced he’s set up his rights for a feature film that purports to tell a “father-son story” about growing up the son of John Gotti Sr, the Dapper Don who headed the Gambino crime family. Gotti Jr has aligned with Fiore Films, which claims it will start production in March. “During the past 20 years, there have been numerous made-for-television movies, books and other representations about me, my father and our family,” Gotti Jr. said in a statement. “None of these projects were done in cooperation with my family and in most cases did not accurately reflect our lives. This film will not be a mob expose, but rather the true story of my life and relationship with my father.”

I previously wrote about Gotti Jr’s plans to pen his memoirs and set up a feature film and documentary just before he gave that 60 Minutes interview. Based on how little he said in that interview last April, I’m not sure what Jr is bringing to the table. He spoke as if he was anticipating frustrated federal agents and prosecutors to look for a way to try him again. Gotti Jr. went through four criminal prosecutions that ended in mistrials, with the feds finally announcing they’d given up and wouldn’t seek a 5th. Gotti Jr did serve a total of 9 years in jail, 3 in solitary confinement, accused of heading the Gambino crime family despite his claim he’d left the crime game for good in 1999.

Recent Comments

Nooooooo shit. It's DONE. And while we're at it, can we put the whole 'Boston thing' to...

fessols&naps

4 years

Great news!!!!!

But will any major studio or distributor want to be associated with a film that puts a positive spin on Gotti Jr or his father, or that puts money in Jr’s pockets? When Sammy “The Bull” Gravano wrote a memoir with Peter Maas, survivors of his victims reportedly filed $25 million in damages lawsuits. While Jr’s plan has been to use proceeds to pay his past legal bills and fund a youth center to steer kids from lives of crime, there will be inevitable controversy.

Authorized crime stories are tricky, and Goodfellas was a rare occasion when access to a participant led to paydirt. In this case, it was Henry Hill, played in the movie by Ray Liotta and who eventually ratted out the mobsters played by Robert De Niro and Paul Sorvino. (Joe Pesci’s character had already been bumped off by then). Pileggi, who first told Hill’s story in a book, told me a few years ago why things worked out so well for him and Scorsese: “In Goodfellas, Henry Hill opened up and gave up everything,” Pileggi said. “He had the pressure of testifying under oath, and, if they caught him in a lie, he was going to prison and he’d have been dead in 10 minutes. I was just lucky enough to be like a stenographer as this guy talked about what it was like to want to be gangster. You could never have made that stuff up.”

36 Comments

Tommy • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

I heard that Boardwalk Empire gets better after the pilot.

Benny F. • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

we just had a Goodfellas TV series, called The Sopranos.
That set a new benchmark, due to great cast and writing.
The world loves organized crime films, so this show could be a hit if the writing is top shelf.

Badabinger • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

If Nick Pileggi is involved, it will be “top flight”. GOOD FELLAS is pure art.

Wally • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

Yes, top flight, like the David Caruso vehicle Michael Hayes that he created.

Anonymous • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

Paul Haggis created that. He has a couple Oscars. Also, David Caruso is a national treasure.

I personally feel the entire Italian Mafia thing has been done to the hilt. However, if this show turns out to really be a Father/son story it may be interesting. A Bronx Tale is one of my favorite mob movies for this very same reason. There are so many ethnic organized crime groups to exploit for entertainment purposes, why keep going to the same well with the same writers and directors? Do we really need a Goodfellas series? Who’s gonna watch it? I grew up in NY and had the opportunity to meet and interact with many of these “Mafia” types and I have to say, by and large they’re overrated. From HS in Brooklyn to living in Queens, I got a pretty good look at them and was not impressed.Hollywood has done much to make them seem bigger than life. Having said that, I hope Gotti Jr gets his show after all he’s been through because his days in the mob are done for more reasons than anyone needs to know.

mattie • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

Nooooooo shit. It’s DONE. And while we’re at it, can we put the whole ‘Boston thing’ to rest as well? Like NOW. LIKE NOW. It’s lookin’ old and arthritic.

Cameron • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

David Chase said he basically thought of The Sopranos as inspired by Goodfellas. This project will obviously cover so much of the same ground and, let’s face it, almost certainly be far inferior to what is likely the greatest show in television history. Goodfellas was a wonderful movie, why not just leave it alone? The best way to find the next Sopranos is to come up with a great idea and execute it brilliantly, not to try to copy it.

bigjohn • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

i’m sorry did you just say “to what is likely the greatest television show in history.” my guess is you’re in your 20s and the earliest show you remember growing up is Beverly Hills 90210. Please go to the TV Academy or Paley Center and get yourself an education of “Pre-1990 TV”. For that matter, maybe you should brush up on some “Post-1990 TV” while you’re at it. For your own good, I’d suggest you not utter those words in this town again. Don’t get me wrong, Sopranos was a great show. Probably Top 50 in TV History. But definitely not ‘the greatest’

Randy F. • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

since you refer to pre-1990 shows, it seems you agree that The Sopranos is the great show in the last 20 years?

bigjohn • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

Maybe you stopped reading after that sentence because I go onto say “For that matter, maybe you should brush up on some “Post-1990 TV” while you’re at it.” Please make somewhat of an effort. You’ll need to in order to get out of the mailroom.

kenmandu • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

Chase was actually inspired by the work of a lone Jersey cop who put away the REAL Sopranos…

Harry • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

Awesome!! Hope Nick Pileggi does the pilot. One of my favorite writers in town and a great guy.

Jesterthedog • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

So Grandpa Irwin Winkler, who is almost 80 years old will be Show Runner?!! Well at least the network will be able to line up AARP as a major sponsor. Hey, and maybe Irwin could be their new spokesman! Talk about corporate synergy!!

tuesdaymorning • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

Actually they said exec producer – not showrunner – there is a difference, but nice try – do you have a problem with Clint Eastwood being older too? Nice.

Randy F. • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

if you’re going to make old people jokes, at least make them funny.

GrowUp • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

Jesterthedog:

If you want to debate the merits of Irwin Winkler as a show runner, discuss the merits: Irwin’s talents, creative sensibilities, and ability to manage a writing staff and production team. Your suggestion that he is inappropriate for the role simply because of his age is baseless and tasteless.

DD • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

a mob show on network tv = AWFUL. leave the big boy shows to premium cable channels that can actually show something. can’t wait to see the lame castings on this if it moves forward.

Brian M • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

The Sopranos is the single most overrated series in the history of television.

Johnny Ola • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

Couldn’t agree more. It was the “Olive Garden” of mob stories. Total bullsh*t. Edie Falco’s character would have been in a full body cast from S1/EP2 as in real life she would have had the sh*t slapped out of her every time she opened that trap and yelled “Toneeeey!”.

Jenny • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

Ugh! What the world doesn’t need is another project to glorify and glamorize the Mafia. These movies are like minstrel shows, depicting and celebrating the worst stereotypes about Italians.

Alboone • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

Goodfellas…the series? Are you kidding me!!!!!!!! REALLY…?

What the hell are these people smoking? Unbelievable!!!!!

These guys need an intervention. Fast.

anonymous • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

Will Gotti talk about the mob affilated trucking company based in Massapequa that furnishes vehicles to the NYC film industry ???

Darren Dreger • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

As long as this isn’t for the WB network I’m intrigued.

paulie w • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

Bobby over there came down a liittle heavy on this kid. The verbal beating he threw him, about the kid’s sister etcetera. Still and alll, I personally knew the mother that wasn’t exactly inside Daisy Clover either, let me tell you. This kid needs to understand this isn’t fucking Philadelphia with Betsy Ross and freedom of speech. You need to watch your mouth, you get into these discussions.

Far as Goodfellas or any good acton show on the networks, don’t make me piss myself.

paulie w • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

And Jenny, what’s your problem doll? Negative sterotypes, va fongool. Here’s an old Italian family recipe, going to make you proud to be from the country your from.

Heat up the Weber. Meantime, take a whole mortadella, unsliced, rub it with extra virgin olive oil and ram it up your ass. When the coals are glowing, red with white borders, sit on the grill 35-40 minutes, serve hot.

dponyourset • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

WB TV will ruin this kind of series. Micromanagement by the execs who have no real talent but feel compelled to force their input onto the artists. Execs, Sometimes the best move is to know you dont have to make a move. Wish they would learn that.

kenmandu • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

Fire With Fire is the only Organized Crime Script around where the hero is a tough cop fighting these scum…

tommy • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

Johnny Ola.

The Olive garden of Mob movies? Really? In real life Carmela this and that and the other thing? Maybe you wish your wife was in a full body cast and if we saw her without clothes on we’d probably wish the same thing, but here’s what you do, you fucking moron. Get in touch with JG Jr, go see him, ask him if his father slapped the shit out of his mother “in real life” every time she opened her mouth. See if he says yeah, or if he slaps the shit out of you.

kevin • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

Kenmandu is right. Up to a point. Blue Bloods! That’s show with characters tough enough to fight these mafia scum. And they will. They will restore a sense of decency to American TV.

The brash hot writing duo, Green and Mitchell, they were on the Sopranos till they got fired so you can darn-tootin’ bet they know their “gats” from their “capi di tuttis”.

This is the show the Tea Partyers and values voters will be watching, not the glorification of Italian anti-heros. It’s like the Blue Bloods writers say — Time for a hero.

PS — when I say hero, I don’t mean a sandwich, I could see where there might be some confusion on that.

tommy • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

I had a comment to the post by Johnny Ola but it was taken down, I think because of off color language, for which I apologize from my heart.

I’ll use the asterisks in the future which seem to be the accepted mode.

What I said to Johnny Ola was — the Sopranos was the Olive Garden of mob shows? Really? In “real liife”, according to Johnny, Carmela would have had the sh*t slapped out of her for running her mouth and she’d have been in a full body cast for this, that, and the other. Maybe, J.O., you have a wish to see your wife in a full body cast. Who could guess at the reason and we don’t really know if it’s even true. Maybe if we saw her nude, we’d wish she same thing, but again, who knows?

But here’s the salient point — here’s what you need to to you, f*cking misogynistic moron. You need to contact John Gotti Jr, go and see him, ask him if his dad, “in real life” slapped the sh*t out of his mother every time they argued. See if he says yeah, or if he slaps the sh*t out of you.

Brooklyn Guy • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

FYI: Mike Russell, star of the infamous HBO documentary that was filmed undercover when he took down the Real Sopranos, would be an inspirational hero for a Mob movie of a different stripe. David Chase was inspired by it… and that just a part of this real life tough’s one-of-a-kind anti-Mob story.

Lefty • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

Hey who is making meatballs with sausage tonight?…Hey this guy!

Powerhugs • on Sep 22, 2010 6:36 pm

Americans are fascinated with Organized crime stories because they are very “honest” in the sense that they mix daily illegal activities with normal good family life..Somehow I think that never gets old…but I’m assuming that anything Gotti Jr will be producing will focusing on the positive aspects of growing up with his father and minimizing anything illegal about the Dapper Don…I don’t think that mass audience will buy it…

fuck this shit, salvatore gravano is my uncle. my grandma is fran gravano. my whole family was in the mob. I associated with them. I did buisness. You guys think this stuff is cool? hollywood sets mobsters up to be like this. henry hill is dead on like that. Jim tucker is jim conways real name.. hes way more brutal than that. Frankie carbone isnt real. but tommy is. goodfellas cant even show the way they acted really. tommys a scumbag. jimmys a good guy as i know him. Henry was a low life. John gotti was my friend. Paul sorvino was the leader of the banonoe family, i know his son and i only saw pauly. this stuff isnt cool. i’ve experienced this. you think the mob is cool? its not. Trust me. Been there done that